RIT and Geospatial Systems Inc. Unveil New Airborne Imaging System

Technology advances use of remote sensing in homeland security and incident response

Geospatial Systems Inc. and Rochester Institute of Technology recently completed a joint project demonstrating a compact, rapidly-deployable airborne imaging system for emergency and tactical applications. The system greatly enhances image quality, resolution and geo-positioning capabilities, while also reducing the set-up and installation time required for airborne deployment.

Geospatial Systems is currently commercializing the technology as part of their TerraPix platform product line for airborne survey and mapping. The TerraPix system is designed for use in homeland security, incident response, asset monitoring and defense. The TerraPix is already being installed in an unmanned aerial vehicle for a U.S. Army urban surveillance program, and in a UAV for a U.S. Navy sponsored project.

“Geospatial Systems is pleased to combine our leading-edge technologies and products with the educational resources of RIT to make advances in the airborne imaging market,” says Maxime Elbaz, president and CEO, Geospatial Systems Inc. “Equipping emergency response teams with the essential tools to provide the highest quality assistance to the community is a project we are very proud to take part in.”

“Our long-standing partnership with Geospatial Systems continues to demonstrate the value of pairing the talent and expertise of a university with the drive and innovation of industry,” adds Harvey Rhody, director of the Laboratory for Imaging Algorithms and Systems within the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science at RIT.

As part of the joint effort, Geospatial Systems donated a TerraPix sensor controller, along with one of their high-precision KCM digital imaging modules to the Laboratory for Imaging Algorithms and Systems. The research partnership focused on integrating the imaging system payload, including the geo-positioning device, as well as improving the system’s ability to process and compress high volumes of data and stream it over a digital data link. The project was co-funded by Geospatial Systems, RIT, and the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation.

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Note: Geospatial Systems Inc. is a Rochester based company that designs and produces airborne georeferenced remote sensing systems for commercial and military applications, including mapping, environmental monitoring, homeland security, reconnaissance and persistent surveillance.

Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership in computing, engineering, biotechnology, imaging technology, and fine and applied arts, in addition to unparalleled support services for students with hearing loss. More than 15,800 full- and part-time students are enrolled in RIT’s 340 career-oriented and professional programs, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.